WSJ: Cat Video Festival – Feline Flicks and Kitty Couture for a Cause

Hmmm Great way to raise funds with avid pet owners… Cat video festivals have become hot stuff at museums and bars around the world. Last year, the Walker Arts Center was overwhelmed when 10,000 people showed up for the free event…

PRESS RELEASE January 17, 2013, 8:00 a.m. ET

Catdance Film Festival Heats Up Park City with Fresh Independent Feline Flicks and Kitty Couture for a Cause

Actress AnnaLynne McCord and the Makers of Fresh Step(R) Litter Unveil the Best Original, Scripted Cat Shorts and Debut a Chic Cat-Inspired Hat to Benefit the ASPCA(R)

Fresh Step litter is taking cat videos, the grandfather of Internet memes, upscale by hosting the Catdance Film Festival* on Jan. 19 in Park City, Utah. With the help of actress and feline lover AnnaLynne McCord, Fresh Step(R) litter has picked five, cat-inspired films from a nationwide search, each of which will be introduced by McCord and screened at the Catdance Film Festival along with other Catdance “official selections” commissioned by Fresh Step.

The finalist films span the spectrum of genres, including a comedy with a twist in “Catalogue,” a mock biography of an aging YouTube sensation in “Fallen Star,” an animated film that pulls at the heartstrings in “Dear Rocky,” a how-to video with a spin in “A Cat’s Guide To Caring For A Human,” and a story that shows cat love defies stereotypes in “A Change of Heart.”

“Okay, I have to admit I’m obsessed with capturing cute home videos of my cat ‘Buni’, but I heard, that apparently there are some pretty skilled filmmakers who are actually creating their own short cat cinema masterpieces,” said McCord. “This is for all you cat lovers out there. I’m excited to announce that I will be celebrating and helping this innovative group of talent as they show off their work at the Catdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah this weekend.”

The Cat. And the Hat

The films will take center stage, but the buzz-worthy kitty couture spotted on the red carpet might take the spotlight. Catdance will celebrate “cattitude” when McCord unveils a limited-edition, cat-inspired hat. True to its inspiration, the hat is a fun and playful mix of popcorn knit in a black and grey stripe complete with two pointy cat ears. The design was a collaboration with well-known knitwear designer Sunghee Bang. Suitable for both the slopes and the streets, this chic hat is the purrfect winter accessory. The cat-inspired knit hat will be available for purchase at http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com for $39.99 while supplies last, and 100 percent of the purchase price of each hat sold will benefit the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R) ).

The Rest is in Your Paw

When the curtain goes down on Catdance, the festival will just be starting. While the critically acclaimed cat shorts screened at Catdance will each have their moment at the festival, the fans at home will decide which filmmaker will receive a $10,000 cash prize. To screen all of the Catdance finalists and cast a ballot for the viewer’s choice award, visit http://www.freshstep.com Jan. 20 through Feb. 28, 2013. All voters will have a chance to win great prizes, including the limited-edition cat hat and Fresh Step coupons. Other Catdance official selections will also be available on the site for viewer cat-ertainment.

The Clorox Company

The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with approximately 8,400 employees and fiscal year 2012 revenues of $5.5 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products, Clorox Healthcare(TM), HealthLink(R), Aplicare(R) and Dispatch(R) products, Green Works(R) naturally derived home care products, Pine-Sol(R) cleaners, Poett(R) home care products, Fresh Step(R) cat litter, Glad(R) bags, wraps and containers, Kingsford(R) charcoal, Hidden Valley(R) and KC Masterpiece(R) dressings and sauces, Brita(R) water-filtration products, and Burt’s Bees(R) and gud(R) natural personal care products. Nearly 90 percent of the company’s brands hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. Clorox’s commitment to corporate responsibility includes making a positive difference in its communities. In fiscal year 2012, The Clorox Company Foundation awarded $3.5 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $15 million. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com.

About the ASPCA(R) Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit http://www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

*Fresh Step litter is hosting the screening and using the Catdance Film Festival name with permission, but is not an official sponsor of theSundance Film Festival